Raised interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha are antecedent to insulin resistance (IR) (Pickup, 2004; Belgardt et al., 2010), and subsequently T2DM and obesity (DeFronzo and Ferrannini, 1991; Dandona et al., 2004; Rader, 2007). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.